Expected processing time for background security checks?

[Joey-Jo]

I don't agree that it's true that all forms of PR are subject to quotas or caps annually.

But that's a separate discussion. As far as we can tell, it IS true for Quebec spousal sponsorships.

Well I spoke to someone at IRCC today and they said it is the Quebec side that is the issue (basically confirming what we all know to be the case - so no real "news" there). I just wasn't aware that although I've been issued with the CSQ and my spousal sponsorship was accepted by Quebec last August, they still impose this cap on when they actually allow you in. I was seeking clarity on that for many months, all the info I read seemed so vague. But I guess I know now I'm in this torturously long queue. Oh well, 15 months down, maybe another 15 or so to go....hopefully. At least I can work here.

This link shows the general disparity in waiting times between Quebec and the rest of Canada. Taken from last July but probably still valid now.
https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/quebec-caps-on-spousal-sponsorship/

IRCC also confirmed my security check hadn't been even started (although criminality was passed a couple of months after I made the application).

And apologies, I know this should really go in the Quebec forum, my original question was more about why security checks take so long.

 

[armoured]

Well I spoke to someone at IRCC today and they said it is the Quebec side that is the issue (basically confirming what we all know to be the case -
...
And apologies, I know this should really go in the Quebec forum, my original question was more about why security checks take so long.

No worries, and sorry that you're stuck that way. At least you're in Canada. Terrible they're still doing this.

I'm even surprised IRCC on the phone admits this.

 

[armoured]

There are quotas for all forms of PR but didn’t say all feel the impacts of the quotas. Only some actually feel the impacts of the quotas and typically also backlogs. Not limited to Quebec and family sponsorship. OP may only be aware of family sponsorship so may be unaware that yearly quotas are also affecting processing in other PR pathways.

I don't believe there are caps for spouse and minor dependent sponsorships ex Quebec. They publish estimates only, and of course they dedicate resources to expected application level (demand*), and there are practical limits to how many they can process. So of course if there are a lot more apps than expected, there will be delays - at least until they can reallocate some resources (and they rarely have extra). And overall except for during covid (and Quebec) that's how it's looked for at least the last six or seven years. (A separate issue can/has been historically - before that - is that a govt can choose to de-emphasize and more or less starve of resources).

But that's VERY different from a specific cap where it results in extremely long arbitrary delays as above. Obviously it's easier/more predictable for them to manage where the 'cap' is structured as application-by-invitation (express entry) and they invite only as many as they expect to be able to process (variation due to how many apply/drop out etc).

H&C and refugee programs and other miscellany presumably have them too, but those are ones where demand is never capped.

*Demand is a separate issue and how accurate they are at estimating, but my guess is that they actually have a pretty good idea of what the drivers are and can do decent estimates. Things like # of students/TFW/other temp residents (in total population / dates of arrival / age groups) + some base/constant level of demand, probably with economic conditions in Canada / worldwide as introducing greatest error.